Google offers new way for US election coverage

CALIFORNIA: The tech giant Google has announced that starting today (8 November), it will display the 2016 presidential election results directly on Google Search.

The information on election results will be available in 30 different languages and will be out as soon as polls close. The tech giant also said that YouTube will live-stream election result coverage from various news organisations such as NBC, PBS, Bloomberg and more. The live-streaming coverage will begin at 7pm ET on 8 November (12am GMT, 9 November).

Google VP of engineering Shashi Thakur said, “Starting when the polls close on Election Day, you will be able to find U.S. election results integrated right into your Google searches in over 30 languages around the world. You’ll also be able to see detailed updates and results of the Presidential, Senatorial, Congressional, Gubernatorial races as well as state-level referenda and ballot propositions.”

Thakur said that in comparison to the 2012 elections, Google has noted a 233% rise in traffic for “how to vote”. Additionally, people in the “battleground states” such as Philadelphia, Ohio, North Carolina and Florida have been “actively searching” for “where to vote,” indicating a high voter interest and possible turnout in 2016 presidential elections.